Love Hina

Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Love Hina. Love Hina and all related characters, names, etc. are ©1999-2004 Ken Akamatsu/Mixx Entertainment Inc. Love Hina is a trademark of TOKYOPOP®. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

One warm day, in Hinata City, a young man walks up a flight of stone stairs. He wipes the sweat off his face and continues upward. His name is Keitaro Urashima, a nineteen year-old whose fate would unknowingly change when he reaches his destination. A sigh escapes him, as his mind wanders.

He was a clumsy guy who thought the gods took amusement to his misfortunes. He wasn't very athletic, not very handsome, and had no special talents. To him, he was just not attractive. Worst of all, his grades were terrible. In all of his subjects, he did very poorly.

Growing up, whenever he was called to answer a question, he would always get it wrong and everyone made fun of him. His misfortune, as well as his damaged self-esteem, would then result to his current situation.

After taking his entrance exams twice...and failing twice, his parents had had enough. They kicked him out of the house. Now, like both definitions of the word, he was a *ronin. After getting kicked out, he wandered around Kanagawa. While walking in a park, he tripped over his own feet. He rubbed his head and started picking up his now scattered stuff. He was almost done, except for his scrapbook...Ah yes, his scrapbook...evidence of his loneliness.

As he reached for the book, a gust of wind blew open the book and stopped on one page. A smile crept upon his face, as he picked it up and looked at the page. There was only one photo in it...a picture of the only girl to ever take a picture with him...his Aunt Haruka. It was one of his fondest memories. After a few minutes of smiling at the photo, realization finally dawned upon him. His eyes widen, as an idea came to his mind. Hence, his trek up this almost endless flight of stairs.

As he reached the base of the hill, as his luck would have it, he tripped over his own feet. Instead of feeling the embrace of the stone ground, however, he felt something soft. When he opened his eyes, he noticed a familiar face.

It had been years since he last saw her, but she still looked as beautiful as ever. Her hair looked the same as when she was younger, except it was a bit longer. She had short, brown hair and warm, brown eyes. Her skin was fair, and her face was more beautiful, since he last saw her; yet, for some reason it was flushed with a red hue. Her eyes showed a mix of emotions: surprise, happiness, and then for some reason, anger?

When he snapped back to reality, he noticed why his landing felt soft and warm. His eyes widened as he quickly got up. He stammered an apology. "I-I-I'm really s-s-sorry Aunt Haruka! It was an accident, I swear!" Haruka pulled a paper fan out of nowhere and hit him on hard o the head. "Call me Haruka!" she says irritably.

Haruka Urashima was enjoying the warm day, sweeping her cafe. It was a quiet day, though, for no customers had arrived. It was not the time for the lunch rush yet, so it was understandable. Though, it was rare to see no customers at this time. Usually, she would at least have a few, but not today. She shrugged it off and continued with her task, while smoking her ever-present cigarette.

Haruka is a patient, tolerant person. Growing up, she was not the most social, but she was reliable. She was a listener, and only spoke when the time was right. Often, she comes off as a cold person who doesn't care. Her poker face makes it difficult for anyone to read her thoughts. However, under that mask is a wise, caring woman.

Her wisdom comes from her world experiences. She has seen many places, met people, and went on many adventures. After all that, however, she decided to peacefully run her cafe. To balance out her peaceful life, she was also appointed as the house mother and landlady of the Hinata Sou. The girls were quite something.

All her life ambitions were almost fulfilled. She graduated from Tokyo University, had a successful business, and experienced parts of the world. There were only a few things that she desired. One of those desires are to share her life with someone. Sure, she could live either way, single or not...but it would be nice.

During her college years, she befriended Seta Noriyasu and Julia McDougal. The trio traveled the world and embarked on many adventures. She knew Seta loved both Julia and her, but Haruka did not return his feelings. What became of their relationship is a story for another time.

After completing her task, seeing that she would have no customers for awhile, she went to her to room to retrieve her newspaper. After she picked up the desired item, her eyes drifted to a scrapbook lying beneath said item. She had time to spare, so she took a walk down memory lane.

There were various photos from her past...each one, a memory. There were many photos: One taken at Tokyo U, one outside the Hinata Sou with the girls, one with Granny, one when she was a child, and many with Seta and Julia. As she flipped through page after page, a content expression graced her face.

When she arrived at the last page, a smile crept up her face. There were three photos. All three had Haruka and Keitaro in them. One was when Keitaro first stayed at the Hinata Sou. She was a teenager working at the inn, while he was a child. That was the first time he called her, "Aunty Haruka." The second picture had them standing in front of the Hinata, smiling and holding hands. The third was taken on the deptature of Keitaro and his parents. She remembered that day as the saddest one, for that was the day she mostly cried. The photo showed the two embracing each other. That was the last time she saw him.

A single tear fell on the photo. That memory was the saddest. She held back the other tears that were threatening to escape her eyes and composed herself. She shook off the memory and closed the book. She retrieved her newspaper and went back to the cafe. Looking around, there were still no customers in sight. She sighed and decided to check on the girls. She hung out a sign that said that she'd be back and stepped outside.

As she was about to ascend the stairs, she felt herself lose balance as someone or something fell on top of her. The pain was gone as fast as she received it. However, she felt a hand grope her chest and her anger flared. When she looked at the mysterious thing that fell on her, her jaw dropped along with her cigarette. Her eyes widened. Lying on top of her was none other than the boy who she had missed dearly...Keitaro Urashima, her beloved cousin and nephew.

She blushed, noticing the position they were in. She looked into his warm, brown eyes. He was surprised, concerned, afraid, and happy. She had a mix of emotions as well: surprise, happiness, and anger. Surprise, for seeing Keitaro again; happiness, for the same reason; and anger, for not hearing from him. She was speechless.

When recognition finally dawned upon him, his weight was off her in an instant. He started to stammer out apologies. "I-I-I'm really s-s-sorry Aunt Haruka! It was an accident, I swear!" After hearing that, as if by instinct, she pulled out a paper fan from her apron and hit him hard on the head. She finally found her voice. "Call me Haruka!"